Tractor



Y 1934- E. M coRMlcK El AL. 1,964,889

TRACTOR Filed June 18, 1952 BY Aha, Lib" ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 3, 1934- TATE rrsr orric-E;

TRACTQR Application June 18, 1932, Serial No. 617,953

13 Claims.

The present invention relates, generally, to tractors of the motor driven type and is more partic .riy directed to an improved traction wheel and lugs therefor.

More specifically, the present invention has for one of its objects the provision of ground gripping lugs of a novel type which are particularly adapted for narrow rimmed traction wheels. The wheel of the present construction embody- 0 ing the lugs aforesaid is what may be termed a double skeleton wheel which is entirely of open faced construction in the sense that the same prosea minimum of surface for direct contact upon the ground and is automatically selfcleaning when in operation. It is to be noted that on some sections of the country the terrain is such that the soil has a great tendency to pack and adhere to the traction wheels and lugs of tractors or other similar implements. The 0 condition of the soil may be such that it is heavy and sticky, so that when it is damp or wet the traction wheels and lugs are readily clogged and burdened with mud or soil between the lugs and about the rims, so that after a short period of operation a traction wheel loses a greater part of its gripping power because the effectiveness of the lugs is destroyed. Therefore, in the regions where the soil has a tendency to build up in a wheel, upon the rim and about the lugs, the traction wheel invariably loses a greater portion of efiectiveness, resulting directly in power waste with a corresponding increase in the cost of operation, and inherently causing a loss in time due to inefficient operation.

The principal object, therefore, of the resent invention is to provide an improved wheel and lug structure in which there is little tendency for the soil to stick or adhere to the wheel, or to or around the lugs attached thereto. More specifically, the present invention contemplates an improved lug structure which is strong and sturdy, yet inexpensive to manufacture and convenient in assembly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a substantially entirely closed form of traction lug embodied in a self-cleaning wheel to further prevent any tendency of damp or wet soil to clog up or to be carried with a wheel, and in addition, the wheel structure and its associated lugs being substantially free from pockets or other irregularities is further advantageous wh n working in dry or sandy soil. The lugged traction wheel of the present construction avoids the objectionable shoveling, so to speak, of dry soil or sand and the carrying of such soil or sand about the wheel from which it is spilled to the ground at various stages of its revolution, such as has been experienced with lugged traction wheels heretofore embodied in tractors or other implements and the like. 50;

Still further, another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved form of securing means for fixing the lug to the traction wheel, and in addition, providing 2. lug particularly adapted to function as a securing means for attaching an auxiliary rim to the main wheel rim and fixed in spaced relation thereto.

Other objects and advantages such as the arrangement of the lugs in combination with a double skeleton wheel, etc., will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the same, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a preferred construction of Wheel embodying traction lugs of a preferred construction;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the fragmentary portion of the traction wheel illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 33 in Figure 1 illustrating a preferred construction of a double lug cooperating between the main and auxiliary rims of the traction wheel; and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 4-4 in Figure 1 illustrating the preferred form of single lugs which are interchangeable and detachably associated with either or both of the rims.

The preferred construction of traction wheel herein disclosed and described comprises a pair of spaced rims consisting of a main rim 5 and an auxiliary rim 6. Each rim is preferably constructed of spaced rings, '7 and 8 designating the rings of the main rim 5, and 9 and 10 designating the rings of the auxiliary rim 6. Each pair of rings '7 and 8 or 9 and 10 are preferably maintained in adjacent spaced relation to each other by means of suitable spacer blocks 12, the rings '7 and 8 of the main rim in this instance being preferably spaced by means of the spokes 13 of the traction wheel. Any suitable fastening means may be employed for joining each of the sets of rings and their corresponding spacer blocks or spokes when acting in the capacity of a spacer means, the fastening means illustrated in the preferred disclosure comprising rivets 15. The self-cleaning properties of the :is then slipped into the slot 25.

wheel described are obvious as well as the fact that the only portion of the wheel which makes direct surface contact with the ground comprises the outer peripheral edges of the rings composing the rims 5 and 6. Aside from the outer peripheral edges of the rings the wheel is entirely open, that is, open between the rims and the respective rings composing the same.

The traction wheel is preferably provided with two sets of lugs, namely, a set of single lugs 16 and a set of double lugs 17. The single lugs 16 are independently connected to the rims 5 and 6 and arranged in any desired manner preferably to extend outwardly from the central plane of the wheel and in aligned relation to each other. The double lugs are connected with both of the rims and function to secure the auxiliary rim to the main rim and in spaced relation thereto. The double lugs may also be arranged as desired about the rims but are preferably disposed in equally spaced relation between consecutive sets of adjacent single lugs. With the lugs disposed in the preferr d manner as stated, a staggered arrangement results whereby the surfaces of the single lugs and the surfaces of the next adjacent double lugs are offset with respect to each other about the circumference of the wheel so that the possibility of damp mud or soil packing between the lugs is entirely avoided. However, regardless oi the particular manner in which the lugs may be arranged about the rims of the vheel, any tendency for damp mud or soil to pack between the lugs is readily overcome because or" the self-cleaning properties of the skeleton traction wheel.

an earth engaging crown or edge 18 having the longitudinally extending walls 19 vepending therefrom in oppositely inclined relation. The walls 19 terminate in a base 20 which substantially closes the open end of the lug and which is provided with suitable shoulders 22 for abutting the main rim and auxiliary rim respectively to maintain said rims in the desired spaced relation with respect to each other. The ends 23 of lugs 17 are substantially semi-conical in shape and overhang the rims 5 and 6 respectively. These ends preferably terminate in inwardly turned flanges 24 which cooperate with the base 25 to compl tely close the open end of the lug when assembled with the rims, the flanges being slotted at 25 for the reception of suitable fastening means such as bolts 26. When assembling the lug to the tractor rims, the head of each bolt 26 is inserted into the lug through an opening 2'7 and the shank portion of the bolt Each of the bolts is preferably provided with a squared portion 28 to cooperate with the sides of the slots 25 to prevent turning of the bolts when the nuts 29 are being tightened. As best viewed Figure 3, the bolts 26 are disposed between the rings of the respective rims 5 and 6 and are fastened to the rims by the nuts 29. A channelshaped washer 86 is interposed between nuts 29 and the inner peripheral edges of the rings to act as a locking means for the nut, to provide a more effective abutment member for engaging the inner peripheral edges of the rings, and to prevent spreading of the rings. It is also to be noted that any variation in the distance between the central vertical planes of the rims 5 and 6 which may be occasioned by a variation in the length of the base 26, that is between its opposite outer shoulders 22, or by any variation in the thickness oi the rings of either of the rims, will not interfere with the fastening of the lugs 17 to the rims since the difierence in distance between the bolts 26 may be varied to limited extent because of their slot connection with he flanges 25 of the lug.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 4 and to the single lug 16, it is that each of the lugs it resembles substantially a hall portion of one of the lugs 17. Each lug 16 com prises an earth engaging crown 32 having oppositely inclined side walls 33 depending therefrom. The outer nd of the lug is provided with an outwardly inclined skirt as depend g from the crown and closing the laterally outer end oi the lug. The skirtas and the side walls 33 terminate in a base 35, all or" the aforesaid elements enclosing the open end of the lug when assembled with the rim of the traction wheel. The end of the lug oppositely di' osed from the skirt 34 is substantially se1ni-co1. cal in contour and is designated by 36. The latter end 36 adapted to overhang eith of the rims 5 or 6, depending upon the disposition of the lug, which end is al o provided with an inturned flange 37 having a slot 38 therein for the reception of suitable fastening means. The fastening means for the lug 16 is substantially similar to and interchangeable with that shown and described in connection with lug 17, and comprises bolt 39 insertable between the rings of one of the rims a1 having a squared shank portion 40 cooperating with the sides of the slot to prevent turning of the bolt. In fastening the lugs 15 to the rims, a channel-shaped washer 42 is likewise interposed between the inner peripheral edge of the rim and the fastening nut 43 for the same function purpose as in the fastening means securing the lug l7 to the rims. In order to insert the bolt 43 into the slot the head of the bolt is first inserted through the opening 4L4 formed between the flange 37 and base 35, the bolt then being turned so as to bring its head above the flange 3'7 with the square shank of the bolt being moved endwise into the slot 38 for engagement with the side walls thereof. When necessary, a limited amount of endwise adjustment of lug 15 is also possible when secu. 1g it to the rim. Such may be necessary due to a variation in the thickness of the rings or other elements used and the mentioned adjustment is provided by the bolt and slot connection.

The lugs 16 are prevented from turning on their respective fastening bolts 39 through the abutting engagement of the side walls 33 of the lug with the rim or by means of the base portion of the lug which is provided with a shoulder at 45 for substantially abutting the sides of the rims.

From the foregoing description of the lugs 16 and 1'7 it is seen that the lugs when assembled with the rims of the traction wheel 14 are completely closed whereby no dry soil or sand is carried around with the wheel and spilled to cause excessive dust disturbances. Moreover, no damp mud or soil will clog or pack into the lu s because they are devoid of irregularities or pockets.

It is further to be emphasized that with the preferred arrangement of lugs, the wheel virtually has a rim of a width equal substantially to the distance between the laterally outer ends of any two oppositely disposesd lugs 16, which rim is actually provided with a plurality of staggered openings A and B as defined substantially by the lugs and; rims 5 and 6. The walls of the lugs as viewed in Figure 2 are all inclined away from their earth engaging crowns, and consequently diverge toward the openings A and B formed between the lugs, and as a result thereof, the lugs will compress the earth or soil entering between the lugs as the latter engage and enter the ground. This action further enhances the tractive power of the wheel. Moreover, at no point are the adjacent walls of any two adjacent lugs 16 and 16, or 16 and 17 disposed in parallelis'm or in a manner to allow the accumulation of mud or soil therebetween. The adjacent walls of any two lugs at. any point are so related as to converge away from each other in a direc tion outwardly from the outer periphery of the traction wheel. This greatly enhances the chi-- cient operation of the traction. wheel. a minimum normal amount of power is all that is needed to operate a tractor or other vehicle equipped with traction wheels and lugs of the T instant construction.

Since the foregoing description relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawing, we do not intend to be strictly limited thereto, nor to the particular arrangement of the lugs as illustrated, or to their" specific i Therefore, we do not intend to be limited to any specific construction of the traction wheel and lugs therefor, except to such structure only as that limited by the appended claims- What we claim is:

1. In a traction wheel, the combination of a main rim and an auxiliary rim each comprising spaced rings, traction lugs each comprising means for securing said auxiliary rim to the main rim, each of said lugs including an earth engagiing crown having oppositely inclined walls extending therefrom and terminating in a base disposed radially inwardly of the wheel with respect to the crown and adapted for substantially closing the wheel side of the lug, and semi-conical Tends extending from the crown toward the radially inwardly disposed base and forming a corn tinuation of the side walls of the lug, said ends having laterally in-turned flanges, and means carried between the rings of each rim and con lnected with said lug flanges for securing said auxiliary rim to the main rim, said lug base extending transversely and circumferentially between said rims and acting to maintain said rims in spaced relation to each other.

2. In combination with a wheel having a rim, a traction lug comprising a pair of sloping walls meeting one another in an earth engaging crown, a third wall connected with and inclined with respect to said pair of walls and sloping laterally thereof, said third wall having a reentrant portion engaging said rim and connected with said pair of walls, means connected with said pair of walls and said crown for cooperating with said third wall and said rim to completely close the traction lug when assembled on the wheel, and

"a third wall connected with and inclined with Moreover,.

respect to said pair of walls and sloping laterally thereof, said third wall having a reentrant portion engaging said rim and connected with said pair of walls, said portion having an aperture therein for the reception of securing means, means connected with said pair of walls and the crown, said last named means engaging said rim and cooperating with said third wall to completely close the open portions of said lug, and

securing means disposed in said aperture and engaging said rim for fixing the lug to the rim.

4. In combination with a wheel having a rim, a traction lug comprising a pair of sloping walls joining in an earth engaging crown, a base connecting the diverging ends of said walls, and a pair of walls connected to the laterally outward ends of said walls and inclined laterally thereof to form a substantially closed lug, one of said ends having a reentrant portion formed to engage the rim of' the wheel, and fastening means for securing the lug to the rim of the wheel, said reentrant portion being apertured for the reception of said fastening means.

5. In combination with a double rimmed skeleton wheel, a traction lug comprising sloping side Walls joining in an earth engaging crown and terminating at their inner ends in a shouldered base. and semi-conical end walls tapering laterally outwardly from the crown and forming a continuation in part of said side walls, said end walls having in-turned flanges disposed substantially in the same plane and intermediate the crown and base, said in-turned flanges cooperating with said shouldered base to form spaced recesses for the reception of the rims whereby said rims are held in spaced relation to each other and maintained in horizontal alinement, and means connected with said lug for securing said rims into said recesses.

6. A lug adapted for connection with the rims of a double rimmed traction wheel, comprising two oppositely inclined side walls joining in an earth engaging crown, semi-conical ends having their apices coincident with the intersection of the surfaces of the side walls and having their conical walls forming a continuation in part of said side walls, said semi-conical ends terminating in a base substantially intermediate the depth of said side walls, said base cooperating with the extended portions of said side walls to form recesses in the lug for the reception of the wheel rims.

'7. A lug adapted for connection with a rim of a skeleton traction wheel, comprising a pair of oppositely inclined side walls joining in an earth engaging crown, said lug having a skirt at one end thereof extending from the crown and terminating in a base, said skirt and base cooperating with said side walls to completely close one end of said lug, the other end of the lug including a semiconical member having its apex coincident with the earth engaging crown and having its wall forming a continuation in part of the side walls, said member terminating in a flange, and said flange and side walls cooperating to form a recess for the reception of the rim of said wheel.

8. In combination, a rim, a traction lug for connection with said rim and comprising two opp0- sitely inclined side walls joining in an earth engaging crown, closure members associated with i adapted to abut the radially outer edge of the wheel rim and the other of said flanges terminating adjacent the laterally outer face of said wheel rim, and means connected with one of said flanges securing said lug to said wheel rim.

9. A traction lug for connection with a rim of a wheel, the rim having portions disposed at an angle to each other, comprising two oppositely inclined side walls joining in an earth engaging crown, closure members associated with the end portions of said crown and extending away therefrom and joining the end portions of said side walls, said closure members having oppositely extending flanges terminating in spaced relation to each other and substantially in a vertical plane parallel to the median plane of the wheel, said flanges cooperating, respectively, with portions of said wheel rim that are disposed at an angle to each other, and means connected with one of said flanges to secure said lug to one of said portions of the wheel rim.

10. A traction lug for connection with a rim of a wheel, the rim having portions disposed at an angle to each other, comprising two side walls joining in an earth engaging crown, closure elements associated with the end portions of said crown and extending away therefrom in oppositely diverging relation and joining the end portions of said side walls, reentrant flange members associated with the extremities of said closure elements and disposed substantially in parallel spaced relation to each other, said reentrant flanges cooperating, respectively, with portions of said wheel rim that are disposed at an angle to each other, and means for securing one of said flanges to one of said portions of the wheel rim.

11. A traction lug for connection with spaced rims of a skeleton traction wheel, comprising two oppositely inclined side walls joining in an earth engaging crown at one end, a base member associated with the other ends of said walls and extending therebetween to provide a hollow centered lug and comprising means for abutting the laterally inner faces of said spaced rims, and fastening means associated with the laterally outer ends of said crown and side walls to secure said lug to the spaced rims respectively and including means which cooperate with said rims for sealing the laterally outer ends of said lug to prevent ingress and accumulation of material within said lug during the operation of said traction wheel.

12. A traction lug for connection with spaced rims of a skeleton traction wheel, comprising two oppositely inclined side walls joining in an earth engaging crown at one end, a base member associated with the other ends of said walls and extending therebetween to provide a hollow centered lug and comprising means for abutting the laterally inner faces of said spaced rims, end walls associated with the laterally outer end portions of said crown and side walls, said end walls having oppositely extending flanged members disposed in parallel spaced relation to said base member and adapted to abut the radially outer peripheral edges of said spaced rims respectively, and means connected with said flange members to secure said lug to the spaced rims of the wheel.

13. A traction lug for connection with the spaced rims of a skeleton traction wheel, said lug comprising an earth engaging crown having a plurality of wall members extending therefrom, and laterally extending abutment elements associated with certain of said wall members and adapted to abut the side portions of said spaced rims and to abut the radially outer edge portions thereof at points spaced radially in relation to the wheel, respectively, and means connected with certain of said abutment elements to secure said lug to the spaced rims of the wheel. 

